ONE WAS THANKFUL - NINE WERE NOT

One Was Thankful - Nine Were Not

by Pastor Mark Taylor 

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And He said unto him, Arise, go your way: your faith has made you whole” (Luke 17:17-19).

Giving thanks and the word thanksgiving are mentioned over 140 times in the Bible.  All the people used by God in the Bible had the “attitude of gratitude”.  David said: “Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalms 103:1-2).  Daniel gave thanks: “Daniel went to his house. And his windows were open in his roof room toward Jerusalem; and he kneeled on his knees three times a day and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before” (Daniel 6:10).  Paul tells us: “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

In a list of sins in the last days, observe that being unthankful is one of those sins.  This tells us the things that displeases God.  Hopefully, we will see that being ungrateful is one of those things that we need to remove from our lives as one of His children.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For people shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent (lack of self-control), fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”  (2 Timothy 3: 1-5)

Being thankful is not a natural trait.  Ask God to help you to be thankful.  It has to be taught and it has to be practiced.  Watch others who are thankful and see how God blesses them.  Teach others to be thankful with your words and your life.  

You have so much to be thankful for.  You have the freedom to worship.  You have access to the Word of God at your fingertips.  You have a church family that loves you, and to whom you can go for comfort and fellowship.  You have the financial resources to buy food and live in a comfortable home.  You have access to medical care and medicine.  You have family and friends to bring joy into your lives.  Remember the song we sing: “Count your many blessings, name them one by one.  Count your many blessings and see what God has done.”

Think about how much you appreciate your children, grandchildren, friends, and family when they say “Thank You”.  And think about how you feel when you do something for them and they do not say “Thank You” or acknowledge your act of love.  Your attitude about doing something more for them often will be affected by their response or lack of response.  We are created in God’s image, which means He has feelings much like we do.

“And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.”(Luke 17:14)  When you ask the Lord to help you, He will usually ask you to do something to demonstrate your faith. 

The “One Thankful Man”, took the time to return to Jesus to thank Him.  He started out standing “afar off”, but now he was on “his face, at His feet, giving Him thanks”.  He started out asking for mercy, and now he glorified God with a “loud voice”.

Those who have received mercy from God should openly demonstrate it to others.  Their praise to God may encourage others, and lead them to trust Christ.

Jesus took notice of the grateful return the “One Thankful Man” made.  He also took notice of the ingratitude of those that were sharers of the mercy that did not return to give thanks.  “Where are the nine?”  Of the many that receive mercy from God, there are very few (one in ten) that return to give thanks.

Today, you should thank our Lord and Savior for the many times He has had mercy on you.  If you are a child of God you have much to be thankful for.  You have Heaven to look forward to.  Jesus told the “One Thankful Man” that his faith had made him whole. He not only received a physical healing, but a spiritual healing. He not only received a higher quality of life on earth, but he received “Eternal Life”. This man not only appreciated the gift he received, but also the Giver.  “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases…” (Psalm 103: 2-3).

Be one of the 10% that Loves God enough to give thanks to Him today!!!!

Below are some ways you can be thankful to our Lord:

“To the end that my glory may sing praise to You, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto You for ever” (Psalms 30:12).

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Your name, O most High” (Psalms 92:1).

“Praise you the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endures for ever” (Psalms 106:1).

“By Him, then, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).

What happens when you become thankful?  God listens to you, and will pour out many more blessings upon you.  Other people will be blessed by your words of praise instead of listening to your complaints.  You will begin to see answers to your prayers and feel the presence of God in your lives.  You will please your Heavenly Father.